How To Edit Your Photos For A Beautiful Instagram Feed

The question I see new bloggers ask the most is “how do I get my Instagram pictures to look light and airy?” Today I wanted to walk you through a step by step guide to creating beautiful Instagram photos. It only takes about 5 minutes to do this, and over time will help you in creating the look you want to brand yourself with on Instagram.

The first thing you should do is download a few photo editing apps that I can’t live without. My personal favorites are VSCO, Lightroom, and Snapseed.

It also helps to have a few camera options available as well. I take the majority of my photos with my iPhone 7+ but also use the Nikon COOLPIX L830 and Canon Rebel with 50mm lens if I want a specific look. In addition, I still also prefer a film camera; the look that you get with film is something that I don’t feel is always achieved with digital (and yes you can have film scans turned digital for you to edit). They say, “the best camera is the one you have on you” so whatever you feel like you can carry all day is best!

Before and after shot of how you can change the look by simple editing techniques using phone apps.

Step 1

Find a location. Be sure to check your surroundings for clutter. Nothing can ruin a shot more than having it filled with a bunch of unnecessary stuff.

Step 2

Use natural lighting whenever possible. It doesn’t have to be perfect but it has to have good lighting. Your photos will turn out less grainy and blurry so they will look more professional. My home is pretty dark in certain areas, so I always try and take photos near an open window if possible. I also have a ring light that I use when we have to shoot inside. It has come in handy more than a few times.

Step 3

After taking the photo, I first like to edit using Snapseed. Under “Tune Image” I first brighten the photo as much as possible, without it being too overdone. Then when I adjust the contrast, I do only do it slightly-the same is done with saturation. Ambiance and highlights are turned up to my liking. Shadows are taken down.

Step 4

Next, I upload the photo into VSCO. I try and use the same filters to keep the feed consistent. My go-to’s are HB1 and J1 and I’ll use C4 or C6 for food shots. I also play around with the contrast and exposure depending on what the photo needs more or less of.

Step 5

When uploading the photo to Instagram, I do not use their standard filters at the bottom. I enjoy the “Lux” setting, which is the sun icon located at the top.

There you go! This is all you need and you are on your way to creating an Instagram feed that will help brand you to your followers.